[elin95]

I am really wondering this.

Do all people experience (mild) depression once in their lives?

For me , living with depression for years, it is hard to imagine that some people might never get a depressive episode.

Everyone goes through hard stuff in life, and one day will it be too much so you get depressed ?

I am really curious what you guys think of this. I'm sorry if it's stupid, it just came to mind.

Yes, I think everyone does, especially reactive depression, I.e. Being sad when someone dies or something bad happens. It's how people cope with it, how long it lasts for, what sets you off. Severely depressed people can't help what or how they feel, and going for a walk or seeing a friend or stuff NT people do to cheer themselves up just doesn't work. It's a question of intensity, duration and cause.

[lonely-and-sad]

I am assuming by your question referring to mild refers to persistent depressive disorder. It is estimated in the U.S at around 3 to 6 percent of the population have this condition. You have to meet certain diagnostic criteria to be considered depressed.

If you have been depressed for years then it sounds like you have persistent depressive disorder. This is the name given in DSM5 that used to be known as dysthymia in DSM4. I am not a doctor. But most members here appear to me to be complaining of chronic depression. I do not recommend members diagnose themselves or act on ANY other plan than what is given to them by their physician/therapist. The evidence is that those that get treatment earlier have a better outcome.

Wikipaedia whilst not a resource that necessarily meets academic standards is still I think worth a read. They references studies which you can also try to obtain and read.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysthymia

[lovejoy91]

Oh, yes! Everyone gets depressed but there are different levels that people go through. I'm hardly depressed. I know how to bounce back like nothing never happened. You have to have faith that things work out for the best.

[Fizzyo]

Depression is different from normal sadness in response to loss or bereavement, but is very common. Some people I'm sure make it through without depression per sae but many many people do experience it but are too scared to share it. Some of us live with a degree of depression for most of our lives, but when 'mild' it is possible to learn to experience a good quality of life. Other people amaze me with their courage making what they have to live with as good as possible. I really hope I can be like them. Best wishes

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

I have asked people and yes, they do from time to time experience, transiently, a form of depression, but they recover fairly readily.